Alta Ski Guide (2026/27): Season Dates, Passes, Lodges, Dining, Après & Getting There

The back story

Season 2026/27: 20 November 2026 – 25 April 2027, conditions permitting (alta.com) · Ski area: 2,614 skiable acres, 118 runs; skiers only · Top viewpoint: 11,068 ft; Sugarloaf unloads at 10,500 ft · Snow: Average 543 inches a winter; record 903 inches in 2022–23 · Nearest airport: Salt Lake City (SLC), 32 miles (alta.com)

The back story

Alta: the back story

Alta·In depth

A silver-mining camp turned ghost town, chosen for skiing by a Norwegian champion, and opened in 1938 as one of America’s first ski areas. Still skiers only.

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Lift passes, ski schools and hire

Skiers only; 2026–27 pass prices

Alta lift tickets and passes, 2026/27

Alta·Lift tickets and season passes·€€€

2026–27 Alta season passes are on sale, from $1,799 for adults; 2026–27 day-ticket prices follow in the autumn.

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Ikon and Mountain Collective

Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective at Alta

Alta·Season passes·€€€€

Alta is on the Ikon Pass and the Mountain Collective; holders can ski direct to the lift.

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Named for Alta’s founder-skier

Alf Engen Ski School

Alta·Ski school·€€€€

Alta’s ski school, named after Alf Engen: private lessons and guides, adult and children’s classes, camps and telemark.

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45% beginner and intermediate

Albion Basin and Sunnyside

Alta·Beginner area·€€

The gentler slopes of Albion Basin, served by the Sunnyside six-pack, are Alta’s place to learn.

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Albion, Wildcat and Alf’s

Alta Ski Shop rentals

Alta·Ski hire and demo·€€€

Rent or demo skis at Alta’s own ski shop in the Albion Day Lodge or the Wildcat Ticket Office, with bootfitting by appointment.

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Top 11,068 ft

Alta mountain

Alta·Ski area·€€€

2,614 skiable acres and 118 runs, from 8,530 to 11,068 feet, with an average 543 inches of snow a winter.

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Where to stay, every budget

Who it suits. On a budget: The UTA ski bus, an all-inclusive room at the Peruvian or the Goldminer’s Daughter, and the $99 Sunnyside At 3 pass for beginners. Mid-range: Alta Lodge with dinner included, Albion Basin for mixed groups, and après at the Sitzmark Club. Luxury: Snowpine Lodge or the Rustler, a private guide from the Alf Engen Ski School, and a chalet with a private chef.

Alta’s first ski lodge · In depth

Alta Lodge

Alta·Historic ski lodge·€€€

Alta’s first ski lodge, since 1940, ski-in/ski-out at the base of the mountain, with saunas, hot pools facing High Rustler, a Kids’ Club and breakfast and dinner included.

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Since 1947, breakfast and dinner included · In depth

Alta’s Rustler Lodge

Alta·Luxury ski lodge·€€€€

A family-owned ski-in/ski-out lodge at the base of Alta, with its own chairlift home, a spa, heated outdoor pool, Jacuzzis, eucalyptus steam room and sauna, and dinner included.

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Ski-in/ski-out, with a spa · In depth

Snowpine Lodge

Alta·Luxury hotel·€€€€

A ski-in/ski-out lodge at the base of Alta with the six-room Stillwell Spa, a granite grotto and cold plunge, a heated outdoor pool and jetted spas, Swen’s and The Igloo.

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By the Wildcat and Collins lifts

Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge

Alta·Family ski lodge·€€

A family lodge feet from Alta’s main lift, with breakfast, a four-course dinner and après snacks included.

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Since 1948

Alta Peruvian Lodge

Alta·All-inclusive ski lodge·€€

A traditional, all-inclusive lodge in a rebuilt wartime building, with family-style dinners and Alta’s best-known après bar.

10000 East Little Cottonwood Canyon Road, Alta, UT 84092Explore View on map
Between Alta and Snowbird

Alta Blackjack

Alta·Ski condominiums·€€

A ski condo lodge on the slopes between Alta and Snowbird, with kitchens for self-caterers.

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Homes from cabins to eight bedrooms

Alta Chalets

Alta·Chalets and condos·€€€

A local agency letting Alta chalets, cabins and condos, from a log cabin to the eight-bedroom Nicholson Chalet.

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Private hot tubs

The Village at Sugarplum

Alta·Townhouses·€€€

Townhouses between Alta and Snowbird with private hot tubs, let through Canyon Services.

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Restaurants and mountain huts

Chef Ed McCall since 1989

Rustler Lodge Dining Room

Alta·Fine dining·€€€€

Fine dining with mountain views at the Rustler Lodge, where Ed McCall has been chef since 1989.

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Breakfast, lunch and evening meal

Alta Lodge Dining Room

Alta·Lodge dining room·€€€

A classic lodge dining room serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a fine-dining atmosphere.

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Snowpine Lodge

Swen’s Restaurant

Alta·Modern American·€€€

Modern American cooking rooted in French technique, with regional ingredients and a long wine and beer list.

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Table service on the mountain

Collins Grill

Alta·Mountain bistro·€€€

A full-service European mountain bistro and grill on the mountain, with wine and spirits.

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Near Sunnyside, Sugarloaf and Supreme

Alf’s Restaurant

Alta·Mountain restaurant·€€

A newly renovated, family-friendly mountain restaurant with big views, plus Cecret Coffee on the snow level.

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Views of Mount Superior and Baldy

Watson Cafe

Alta·Mountain café·€€

A mountain café with views of Mount Superior and Mount Baldy; Baldy Brews serves coffee and beer downstairs.

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The sunniest deck in town

Albion Grill

Alta·Base-area cafeteria·€

A family-friendly cafeteria at the Albion base, ideal after a ski lesson, with what Alta calls the sunniest deck in town.

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Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge

Top of the Lodge

Alta·Lodge restaurant·€€€

Breakfast buffet or made-to-order breakfast, and a four-course à la carte dinner every evening.

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Après-ski and bars

‘The P Dog’

Alta Peruvian Bar

Alta·Après bar·€€

Known to locals as the P Dog, the Peruvian Lodge bar is Alta’s go-to après spot.

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Alta Lodge

Sitzmark Club

Alta·Lodge bar·€€

The fireside bar of the historic Alta Lodge, looking out at the mountain.

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Rustler Lodge

Eagle’s Nest Lounge

Alta·Lodge lounge·€€€

The Rustler’s upscale lounge, with panoramic views of the ski area and cocktails by the fire.

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Live music, famous pizza

Goldminer’s Saloon

Alta·Family saloon·€€

A family-friendly lunch and après spot steps from the hill: beers, wings, nachos and the Goldminer’s pizza.

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Snowpine Lodge, open daily

The Gulch Pub

Alta·Pub·€€

Snowpine’s casual pub, with a wide range of beer, wine and cocktails after the slopes.

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Shops

Utah’s first ski shop

Deep Powder House

Alta·Ski shop·€€€

The first ski shop in Utah, still inside Alta Lodge.

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Albion, Wildcat and Alf’s

Alta Ski Shop

Alta·Ski shop·€€€

Alta’s own shops: new gear, demo skis, rentals and the exclusive Alta-branded line.

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In the Rustler Lodge

Rustler Powder House

Alta·Ski shop·€€€

The latest gear, rentals and demos inside Alta’s Rustler Lodge.

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Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge

Motherlode Powder House

Alta·Ski shop·€€€

A slopeside ski shop on the first floor of the Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge.

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Snowpine Lodge

Jackson’s Base Camp

Alta·Ski shop·€€€

The ski shop in the rebuilt Snowpine Lodge, just feet from the slopes.

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Custom boot fitting

Alta Peruvian Ski Shop

Alta·Ski shop·€€€

Rental and demo packages for alpine skiing, with custom boot fitting, at the Peruvian Lodge.

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Spas and wellness

1 to 8 p.m. in winter

Rustler Lodge Spa

Alta·Lodge spa·€€€€

A lodge spa beside pools, Jacuzzis, a sauna and a eucalyptus steam room, open every afternoon and evening in winter.

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Snowpine Lodge

Stillwell Spa

Alta·Hotel spa·€€€€

Snowpine Lodge’s spa, with treatments from certified therapists after a day in the powder.

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Getting there

32 miles from Salt Lake City airport

Getting to Alta

Alta·Getting there

Alta is 32 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport and 26 miles from downtown, at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

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8 miles, 64 avalanche paths

Little Cottonwood Canyon road

Alta·Driving

The canyon road climbs 8 miles at a 7.2–11.7% grade, crossed by 64 avalanche paths; it is often limited to 4x4 or AWD with snow tyres or chains.

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From valley park-and-rides

UTA Ski Bus to Alta

Alta·Public ski bus

Utah Transit Authority ski buses run from park-and-ride lots in the valley to Alta and Snowbird.

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Around Alta and to Snowbird

Alta Resort Shuttle

Alta·Town shuttle

The Town of Alta’s shuttles, which link the lodges, the two base areas and Snowbird in the ski season.

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SLC airport to the canyons

Canyon Transportation to Alta

Alta·Shuttles and private cars

Shuttles, Sprinter vans and 4x4 SUVs from Salt Lake City airport to the Cottonwood Canyons resorts.

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Property: the neighbourhoods

The lodges’ base

Wildcat base

Alta·Neighbourhood

Alta’s lower base, by the Wildcat and Collins lifts, where most of the historic lodges stand.

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Families and learners

Albion base

Alta·Neighbourhood

The upper base at Albion Basin, with the day lodge, the Sunnyside lift and gentle terrain.

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Between Alta and Snowbird

Blackjack and Hellgate

Alta·Neighbourhood

Condominiums on the slopes between the two resorts, within reach of both.

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Townhouses and homes

Sugarplum

Alta·Neighbourhood

The Village at Sugarplum’s townhouses, with private hot tubs, between Alta and Snowbird.

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Beneath Mount Superior

Superior Point

Alta·Neighbourhood

Condos about a mile from both Alta and Snowbird, beneath Mount Superior.

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